LAS CRUCES >> Some work remains to done on the building and the street adjacent to the city's new $3.6 million intermodal transportation center on Amador Avenue is still being reconstructed.

But the end is in sight, and city officials are optimistic construction of the new facility could be completed by the end of the week.

"We've been planning to coincide completion of the project with the finish of work on Alameda Boulevard," said Eric Martin, city project management administrator. "We're hoping that when the road is finished, so will the intermodal center."

Miguel Samaniego, city project manager, estimated construction is about 80 percent complete. "There is still some work on the interior of the building, and some landscaping (outside), that still has to be done," Samaniego said.

Reconstruction of Alameda, from Lohman Avenue south to Main Street, is an important consideration, because the street improvements should make it easier for buses to come and go from the intermodal center. City officials said the roadwork is anticipated to be finished by the end of the month, which is Saturday.

However, Martin cautioned late-summer rains or other inclement weather conditions could delay completion. Already, Samaniego estimated that recent rains have pushed back the end of the intermodal project by about five days.

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The intermodal center is expected to be the home for most public transportation services available to residents. RoadRunner Transit will be the anchor tenant.

"Frankly, I can't wait for it to finally open. I'm pretty excited about it almost being finished," said Las Crucen Renee Naranjo, who relies on city bus service to get her to and from doctor's appointments and grocery stores. "I can't drive myself any more, so without the bus I'd be in real trouble. To have everything based out of one place, one central location, it should be pretty nice if I need access to taxis or the shuttle (service)."

Mike Bartholomew, city transit administrator, said although construction of the intermodal center is almost finished, the facility's opening won't happen right away.

"There is still going to be about a three- to four-week period before it opens," Bartholomew said. "We will still have to furnish the building and then move and train staff that will work there. We could have a 'soft' opening before there is a full grand opening ceremony."

City officials also anticipate operations of the New Mexico Park and Ride program, which provides weekday bus transportation to and from Las Cruces and El Paso, will also be based at the intermodal center. Currently, RoadRunner and Park and Ride services are based at the former Amador Hotel, on Amador Avenue off of Main Street.

"There's a berth there, if they want it," said Martin, of a bus space at the new facility for the Park and Ride program.

Also, privately operated taxis, shuttle services, and just maybe a commercial bus service could operate at the intermodal center. City officials have been trying to lure Greyhound to move its operations from Doña Ana to Las Cruces, but city officials have no indications that Greyhound is willing to do that.